Orleans Parish pays a reported average of $82,940 a year, and the work behind that number is specific: Entergy New Orleans runs a grid that is heavily underground downtown, sits below sea level in much of the parish, and rebuilds itself after every named storm. Expect a Class A CDL requirement and a signed commitment to Gulf Coast storm restoration before you get a hook set.
Who Hires Here
New Orleans Employers
Entergy New OrleansUtility
The parish IOU, with underground network distribution downtown and overhead rebuild work everywhere else.
Pike ElectricContractor
Distribution construction and storm response crews staffed heavy through hurricane season.
MasTec Utility ServicesContractor
Overhead and underground build work across the metro and surrounding parishes.
Irby ConstructionContractor
Regional line contractor with a long Gulf Coast restoration footprint.
Nearby Hiring Hubs
Metairie, Kenner, Slidell, Houma, and Gulfport pull from the same labor pool, so a New Orleans address puts you inside commuting range of all five. Louisiana is a right-to-work state; if you want book work instead of contractor work, start at the IBEW local finder rather than assuming a local covers outside line here.
Common Questions
New Orleans Lineman FAQ
What does a lineman make in New Orleans?
The reported average is $82,940 a year, which lands mid-pack nationally, though storm season overtime and per diem move real take-home well past that. Compare it against the salary by state guide before you take an offer.
Do I need a CDL to get hired here?
Yes. Louisiana utility and contractor crews commonly require a Class A CDL up front, not something you earn after hire.
How much storm work should I expect?
Hurricane season runs June through November, and Orleans Parish gets called out for both local restoration and mutual aid across the Gulf. Storm availability is a hiring condition, and storm pay is the reason many crews stay.
